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When he lifted his head, again, his eyes glittered unnaturally. "Forgive me. I still have nightmares about finding her, but sometimes she's other people that I love or it's not just her but all my students, too."

Nyxali nodded. Her throat felt so tight. Her stomach churned against the dinner that had been filling and delicious. She looked at Scratch. He was staring into the fire. His face expressed no feeling at all. He looked like a statue of the ancestors - fierce and noble but not quite real either. His eyes flicked to her and abruptly he leapt away into the darkness.

Tchash cleared his throat. "When I finally was able to bring myself close enough to that carnage, I realized that there was something she was trying to protect. I unwrapped her gently. I know it didn't make any sense, but she had been through so much I just couldn't bring myself to handle her roughly. Soaked in his mother's blood, nearly drowning it, was Scratch. He was so small. He fit in my hands. His eyes weren't open yet. He opened his mouth and tried to hiss at me, but it was silent. It would have been cute if it wasn't so tragic. That was a long night. I buried her and tried to keep Scratch alive. I always carry supplies in case I find abandoned throwback cubs - still do. But, I had never had to - clean up such a mess before."

Tchash paused and buried his head again. He blurred before Nyxali's eyes. She felt the tears well up large in her eyes until she finally blinked them loose down her cheeks. She wanted to hug both Tchash and Scratch. She had never been through anything so horrible in her life - and she was such a brat not to be grateful for her life. Tchash's clear voice startled her.

"I had a former student in a nearby town. He and his mate did some reconnaissance for me. They found out the story. Scratch's mother was a newcomer to the town named Ji'asme. She arrived already visibly pregnant, but was hardworking and friendly. She said that she was on her way to join the baby's father, but was having a hard time traveling in her advanced condition and needed to stop until the baby was born. It happens, as you know, since many of us are still nomadic. No one thought anything about it. Their first clue came the day she went into labor. She didn't want anyone to help her which is unusual. However, the elder of the village was a midwife and insisted. The elder showed no sign of alarm or distress when she saw the first cub and excused herself to get more supplies since there were more coming. The elder returned and delivered the rest of the litter. Scratch had five other siblings. Ji'asme took turns holding each one before returning it to the basket. Scratch was who she had in her arms when the Cullers arrived. My student said he was nearly sick as the story was related to him so proudly. The cubs were killed first - smashed with a hammer in the basket. Ji'asme managed to escape with Scratch, but was ripped apart by the swords and axes carried by the Cullers. They didn't bother chasing her because they knew she and her cub would never survive the night. The town had her ear as a trophy which they showed to my former student. He threw up on the spot. His wife covered for him and explained he had recently been sick. They were on their way to a healer in another town. In order to be above suspicion, they did go to that healer and stay for a few days to be "healed" before returning to their home. I took Scratch and left in the dead of night a few nights after that. They moved a few months later. I don't know where, but I know it was because they didn't want to be found out and killed." Tchash paused here. "So, you see, there is very good reason for us to be careful and stay off the road and away from towns."

"I'm sorry for suggesting it - especially as a joke," Nyxali whispered. She spoke a little louder and said, "I'm sorry, Scratch. I feel - stupid and mean."

Tchash looked to the trees and said, "Don't worry. Scratch won't hold it against you. It's not in his nature. But, that's a conversation for another day. We should be able to stay here until he decides to come back. Why don't you get some sleep for now?"

Nyxali crawled over to her sleeping bag and snuggled in, but she couldn't fall asleep easily as images of Ji'asme and cubling Scratch kept rising in front of her eyes.